Diamond Lake

Mt. Thielson from the North side of Diamond Lake

On my recent trip to Southern Oregon, one of my stops was at Diamond Lake, which is about 14 miles north of Crater Lake. This natural alpine lake is about 3000 acres in size and sits at 5,100 feet elevation. My two reasons for going to the lake was to 1) ride around it on the 11 mile bike path, and 2) to check out the wildflower blooms!

The lake is very popular with campers and fishing boats. One side of the lake is highly developed with a huge campground and a resort with hotel rooms. You won't really be getting back to nature on this side!

In spite of that, the bike ride was very pleasant and mostly flat. The route takes you though a wetlands, a dry ponderosa pine forest, and quite a bit of lakeside. The day I rode the trail (6/22/2013), the weather was very nice: no wind, mostly sunny, and warm temps. However, there were plenty of mosquitos along the trail. Stopping for pictures was a challenge, but I did have repellent!

The wildflower bloom had started a few weeks earlier this year due to warmer weather. I did not see any snow along the path. Here are some of the sights and wildflowers from the ride:

A crystal clear feeder creek for the lake.

Bike trail bridge over the creek.

 Bog area south of the lake. Lots of mosquitos here!

Azure Penstemon - Penstemon azureus

Tall Bluebells - Mertensia paniculata

 

Marsh Marigold - Caltha leptosepala

 

Few Flowered Shooting Star - Dodecatheon pulchellum

Sulfur Flower - Eriogonum umbellatum

Yellow Salsify - Tragopogon dubius

 

Likely: Blue Elderberry - Sambucus nigra Subsp. cerulea